Vehicle and pedestrian alert system and vehicle including an alert system

Abstract

A vehicle alert system and method are provided. The vehicle alert system and method provide for a non-audible alert upon actuation of an actuation area, such as a car horn. The non-audible alert may include operating or actuating one or more lights. A mobile application may be provided for providing an alert in response to the actuation of the actuation area.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle alert system for warning a pedestrian of a vehicle approaching the pedestrian, comprising:
 a vehicle horn system comprising a steering wheel including an actuation area, the actuation area configured to produce a signal upon actuation of the actuation area; 
 a non-audible alert device in communication with the actuation area, the non-audible alert device positioned so as to be viewed from outside the vehicle and configured to be actuated upon actuation of the actuation area and to thereby produce a non-audible alert; and 
 a mobile device comprising a mobile application, the mobile application configured to provide a warning alert to a user of the mobile device in response to the signal produced upon actuation of the actuation area, wherein the warning alert is configured to warn the pedestrian of the vehicle approaching the pedestrian. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle alert system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device comprises a smartphone, and wherein the warning alert comprises a notification on a screen of the smartphone. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle alert system of  claim 1 , wherein the actuation area comprises a pad, button, level, or switch. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle alert system of  claim 1 , wherein the non-audible alert device is positioned on an exterior of a vehicle. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle alert system of  claim 1 , wherein the non-audible alert device comprises one or more lights. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle alert system of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more lights have at least a portion facing a forward direction of the vehicle. 
     
     
       7. A method for providing a non-audible alert and an electronic warning alert to a pedestrian comprising:
 providing a vehicle horn system comprising a steering wheel including an actuation area positioned within an interior of a vehicle; 
 providing a non-audible alert device in communication with the actuation area; 
 providing a mobile application configured for use by the pedestrian via a mobile device configured to in communicate with the actuation area; 
 transmitting one or more signals to the non-audible alert device and the mobile device in response to actuation of the actuation area; 
 providing a non-audible alert in response to the one or more signals via the non-audible alert device; 
 and 
 providing a warning alert via the mobile application to the pedestrian in response to the one or more signals, wherein the warning alert is configured to warn the pedestrian of the vehicle approaching the pedestrian. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the vehicle further comprises a horn, and wherein actuation of the actuation area further actuates the horn. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mobile device comprises a smartphone, and wherein the warning alert comprises a notification on a screen of the smartphone. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the actuation area comprises a pad, button, level, or switch. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the non-audible alert device is positioned facing an exterior of a vehicle. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the non-audible alert device comprises one or more lights. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more lights have at least a portion facing a forward direction of a vehicle. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 7 , wherein a vehicle horn system comprises the non-audible alert device. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle alert system of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device is configured to vibrate in response to the warning alert. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the mobile device is configured to vibrate in response to the warning alert.